By: Duane Pretorius, Environmental Manager – Sedgwick Australia
Incident summary
A fire broke out in the sauna at a fitness centre, causing extensive fire damage to the internal fit-out and spreading smoke and soot throughout the facility. The fire was extinguished by emergency services, but the men’s and women’s amenities were severely affected, and the ground floor areas, including the creche, disabled amenities and gym, were impacted by smoke particulates.
Claim summary
The claim involved fire damage to stock, fit out and contents. The insured requested assistance with the restoration process, which included cleaning and decontaminating various surfaces affected by soot and smoke. The restoration work was conducted by nominated restorers, with the assistance of hygienists for testing and monitoring.
Works conducted
The restoration works conducted involved a comprehensive process to address the fire damage and ensure the facility’s safe reopening. Initially, hygienists were appointed to help with drafting the scope of work and terms of reference for the restorers. Key steps in the restoration included completing site visits and assessments, and managing costs, deliverables and operations from start to finish. The contents and stock items were collected, cleaned, transported and stored, while regular hygiene assessments and reports were obtained.
The restoration was executed in phases, starting with the removal and cleaning of contents, furniture and gym equipment, followed by cleaning walls, cables and cords in various areas. Air filtration devices were installed to maintain air quality during the cleaning process. The final phase involved additional cleaning of walls, beams and equipment, ensuring containment and air filtration. The restoration teams completed the necessary decontamination and cleaning, and the facility was successfully reopened in line with the very tight timelines for the reopening.
Savings and contributions
Sedgwick’s cost management and validation services resulted in a $90,000 savings from the initial quantum estimate provided to the loss adjuster. This was achieved by agreeing on rates prior to commencement, drafting and issuing terms of reference for all restorers, obtaining quotations aligned with the terms of reference requirements, requesting and checking costs daily, and validating and verifying actual costs.
Conclusion
Our involvement in the restoration was pivotal in ensuring the successful recovery of the fitness centre following the fire. From the initial assessment to the final clean-up, Sedgwick managed the process with meticulous attention to detail, coordinating with various stakeholders on scopes of work, terms of reference, and quotations. The restoration teams worked diligently to decontaminate and clean the affected areas, ensuring the facility was safe for reopening after 39 days without any non-conformances or incidents. Sedgwick’s effective management helped the client save money, while our comprehensive approach and collaboration with restorers and hygienists ensured a smooth, efficient process.
